1 [transitive]slice something (up)to cut something into slicesto slice (up) onionsSlice the cucumber thinly.a sliced loafCollocationsCookingPreparingprepare a dish/​a meal/​a menu/​dinner/​the fishweigh out 100g/4oz of sugar/​the ingredientswash/​rinse the lettuce/​spinach/​watercresschop/​slice/​dice the carrots/​onions/​potatoespeel the carrots/​onion/​potatoes/​garlic/​orangegrate a carrot/​the cheese/​some nutmegremove/​discard the bones/​seeds/​skinblend/​combine/​mix (together) the flour and water/​all the ingredientsbeat/​whisk the cream/​eggs/​egg whitesknead/​shape/​roll (out) the doughCookingheat the oil in a frying panpreheat/​heat the oven/(British English) the grill/(North American English) the broilerbring to(British English) the boil/(North American English) a boilstir constantly/​gently with a wooden spoonreduce the heatsimmer gently for 20 minutes/​until reduced by halfmelt the butter/​chocolate/​cheese/​sugarbrown the meat for 8–20 minutesdrain the pasta/​the water from the pot/​in a colandermash the potatoes/​banana/​avocadoWays of cookingcook food/​fish/​meat/​rice/​pasta/​a Persian dishbake (a loaf of) bread/​a cake/(especially North American English) cookies/(British English) biscuits/​a pie/​potatoes/​fish/​scones/​muffinsboil cabbage/​potatoes/​an egg/​waterfry/​deep-fry/​stir-fry the chicken/​vegetablesgrill meat/​steak/​chicken/​sausages/​a hot dogroast potatoes/​peppers/​meat/​chicken/​lambsauté garlic/​mushrooms/​onions/​potatoes/​vegetablessteam rice/​vegetables/​spinach/​asparagus/​dumplingstoast bread/​nutsmicrowave food/​popcorn/(British English) a ready mealServingserve in a glass/​on a bed of rice/​with potatoesarrange the slices on a plate/​in a layercarve the meat/​lamb/​chicken/​turkeydress/​toss a saladdress with/​drizzle with olive oil/​vinaigrettetop with a slice of lemon/​a scoop of ice cream/​whipped cream/​syrupgarnish with a sprig of parsley/​fresh basil leaves/​lemon wedges/​a slice of lime/​a twist of orangesprinkle with salt/​sugar/​herbs/​parsley/​freshly ground black peppersee alsosalami slicingSee related entries:Preparing food

2 [intransitive]to cut something easily with or as if with a sharp blade+ adv./prep.He accidentally sliced through his finger.A piece of glass sliced into his shoulder.(figurative)Her speech sliced through all the confusion surrounding the situation.slice something (+ adj.)The knife sliced his jacket.He sliced the fruit open.(figurative)The ship sliced the water.

3[transitive]slice something(sport)to hit a ball so that it spins and does not move in the expected directionHe managed to slice a shot over the net.

4[transitive]slice something(in golf)to hit the ball so that it flies away in a curve, when you do not mean to

5[transitive]slice something(North American English,informal)to reduce something by a large amountThe new tax has sliced annual bonuses by 30 percent.

Word OriginMiddle English (in the sense ‘fragment, splinter’): shortening of Old Frenchesclice

‘splinter’

, from the verb esclicier, of Germanic origin; related to Germanschleissen

‘to slice’

, also to slit.Extra examplesHe sliced pieces off the large steak.Slice the bread thinly.Slice the onion in two.Slice up the mushrooms and fry them.The axe sliced into her shoulder.The knife sliced cleanly through the flesh.The knife sliced through his ear.slicing pieces off the joint of meatA piece of glass sliced into her shoulder.Thickly slice the potatoes.a loaf of sliced breadIdioms

(computing)to divide information into small parts in order to study it more closely or to see it in different waysThe software lets you slice and dice the data and display it in different formats.Once you enter the budget, you can slice and dice it in the same way as sales information.More Like ThisRhyming pairs in idiomsdoom and gloom,fair and square,high and dry,huff and puff,name and shame,slice and dice,thrills and spills,wear and tear,wheel and deal,wine and dineSee worksheet.Phrasal Verbsslice off something